Gabapentin and Exercises

[Toni-Lou]

Hi everyone,

A year ago, I was on Lyrica (Pregabalin) for 3 months and during this time I stopped working out cos I experience fainting spells when I work out.

Now, Im starting on Gabapentin twice a day but during the week I go for my swim 2 to 3 times a week and sometimes i run the 5k treadmill. My question is can Gabapentin affect my body when I perform strenous activities? Do you guys have any experience to share?

Thanks in Advance!

[Emma2017]

I have no idea. I am on gabapentin for pain. I get exercises to do by my physio and have all on to do those. I could not even start to think doing what you are doing. Give it a go is all I would say and see how it goes.

[stenosis49 in reply to Emma2017]

Hi emma2017, the weight gain since being on pregabalin and amitriptyline makes it difficult to exercise in the first place. chronic pain sufferer doesn't help either. Still feel the pain but takes the edge of things

[Toni-Lou in reply to Emma2017]

Thanks Emma, I went for my swim yesterday and I was on my 3rd day on Gabapentin. I was afraid at first so i was taking it slow and Im glad that it didnt have any effect on me except that my head feels loopy and I find it hard to focus. Thank you for your message

[Nikk-1]

I was physically fit and have maintained a level of fitness with FMS and chronic pain but at no point could I exercise to the level you are. I would say the swimming is amazing for you it's weight beating but the 5k on the treadmill will hammer your joints. That's a given as my degree is in exercise nutrition and health during testing it was found that swimming yoga were better for pain related condition that high impact exercise such as treadmills and the likes. With knowing the full history of your pain I wouldn't recommend 5k on a treadmill. J

[JeffMett]

I take 3 x 3 a day I hope it does not effect my exercisers as I am now got to do more even if I get chronic pain as I have put a lot of weight these last few months. They tell me now I have got to build my muscles up to deal with the pain and reduce my pain medication. Over the last 4 years they told me to stop what I was doing if it caused me pain and now I have been told the pain is not harmful. So I would keep doing your exercisers unless you have been told by a Doctor and question him/her the next time you go.

[Toni-Lou in reply to JeffMett]

Thank you for your reply. I did mention to my Spine surgeon about my exercises and he didnt asked me to stop them, except lifting weights. He did mention however, that I have to deal with the pain if I didnt want to undergo an operation, but an operation is not an option for me right now cos it involves a lot of risks.

[shirishcin in reply to Toni-Lou]

How do you feel now?

[Cb1963]

I suppose alot of the answers to your questions can be solved by yourself,but its a great idea seeing what feed back is available,so it all depends how much physical pain your in? How old are you? And what dosage of tablets your on? Do you you have any other health conditions? And myself personally I would struggle to contemplate taking exercise,I keep on taking pregabilin twice daily 300mg,and dihydrocodeine as stated in the hope that my peripheral neuropathy would disappear,but I've had know great changes in my condition and that's nearly 5 years or so,I find the pain exhausting,don't sleep particularly very well,and so wake up shattered,stiff and sore,but hats off to you for doing what you are doing,I used to be a fitness freak,and used to run long distances and was generally very fit,and so I feel like I'm on a double edged sword,the depression with the pain,and struggling to do something about it,anybody knows with PN,how tiring this condition is,its all well and good saying it's in the mind,well my body lets my mind know that's not the case,I would ease of the running a bit,as in later life I've found out that pounding the roads does the leg joints and hips no favours,swimming is great,and cycling is another way of higher fitness levels,so congratulations for your endeavour for a healthier outlook in life,and hopefully you'll get some more input to your very sensible questions,thankyou

[Toni-Lou in reply to Cb1963]

Thank you for your reply cb1963.

I am in constant mild pain, i guess on a scale of 0-10 i would say around 1-3. I am 32 years and on Gabapentin 300mg twice daily though i only started 4 days ago. Im trying my best to not let this pain get the better of me and stop me from living my life. Swimming does help me reach the satisfactory feeling that I've stretch my muscles and joints but it doesnt help ease the pain completely. Goodluck to you.

[Dbeck1313 in reply to Toni-Lou]

Hey, you wrote your post a while ago, but I’ve been researching a lot since I’ve had twitching everywhere and mild pain in certain areas. I’m 32 years old now and wanted to ask you what pains you have, if you’ve been diagnosed with anything, etc. doctors have done a bunch of tests on me but haven’t gotten to any conclusion so they have me taking Gabapentin. Any information would be appreciated. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] as I’m not sure I will be able to find this thread in the future. Thanks!